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Israel's Cabinet in Final Vote on Gaza Evacuation


Israel's cabinet is set to vote Sunday on a final go-ahead for this month's evacuation of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Officials say the debate may be prolonged, but Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's evacuation plan is likely to win final approval. The cabinet is expected to begin by reviewing plans for evacuating the three most isolated settlements in Gaza - Netzarim, Morag and Kfar Darom - a stronghold of those who oppose the withdrawal.

Fears of violence have increased ahead of the August 15 pullout, since a Jewish militant boarded a bus and shot four Israeli Arabs to death, apparently to stir unrest and draw security forces away from Gaza.

In the West Bank today, Palestinian militants opened fire on an Israeli car near the Jewish settlement of Ateret, north of Jerusalem. At least two people, including a 10-year-old boy, were wounded.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.

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